To cull or not to cull?

[mstricer]

I am very fond of my birds and they are extremely well cared for

I think a lot of people think that way. I don't necessarily call my non-productive birds (got the chickens for eggs) I don't like the taste of the old hens. I have an arrangement with an Amish family down the road, I don't fool myself on what will happen to them, sometimes though they will keep some of the girls if they lay better then theirs. I know they eat them. All my extras from my hatches go down the road. It is greatly appreciated by a large family.​

 

[bobbi-j]

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I think a lot of people think that way. I don't necessarily call my non-productive birds (got the chickens for eggs) I don't like the taste of the old hens. I have an arrangement with an Amish family down the road, I don't fool myself on what will happen to them, sometimes though they will keep some of the girls if they lay better then theirs. I know they eat them. All my extras from my hatches go down the road. It is greatly appreciated by a large family.

It's nice when you can have that arrangement. Win-win for everyone! I have no doubt that everyone on here - whether they cull or not - give their birds the best care they can.

 

[peterlund]

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Thats the difference between people like you and people like me. We have chickens for different reasons. You like them as pets I like them for meat and eggs. Some people are hard core breeders and others are somewhere in the middle. The good thing about this is there is no right answer.

I agree... This "question" started out as a fight from the beginning. Roosters in my back yard are culled.. Then eaten, and this year I did do a big batch of cornish X fir the freezer... and my 2 year old flock needs to be culled in the spring as the new girls are far producing more eggs... I admit I will keep a few birds around... you know the ones that suck up to you etc, but chicken math is NOT all plus signs... there has to minus signs as well/

 

[mstricer]

Quote:
Thats the difference between people like you and people like me. We have chickens for different reasons. You like them as pets I like them for meat and eggs. Some people are hard core breeders and others are somewhere in the middle. The good thing about this is there is no right answer.

I agree... This "question" started out as a fight from the beginning. Roosters in my back yard are culled.. Then eaten, and this year I did do a big batch of cornish X fir the freezer... and my 2 year old flock needs to be culled in the spring as the new girls are far producing more eggs... I admit I will keep a few birds around... you know the ones that suck up to you etc, but chicken math is NOT all plus signs... there has to minus signs as well/

Well said

 

[Tracydr]

I cull.i don't use antibiotics or chemicals, for the most part and so if one bird shows a lack of immunity to parasites or an illness they get culled. Also, although I'm "temporarily" at a time in my life where I'm raising urban birds and stuck in the city, most of my poultry experience has been in the country. I've culled whole breeds out of my flock ( not necessarily killing them) because they simply weren't predator proof and I prefer to free range. Some breeds just aren't smart enough, fast enough or the right color to survive outside of a cage. Over the years, I've sort of learned what to look for in a good free-range breed but I'd did lose quite a few along the way, usually either white birds, foo-foo breds or breeds that can't see or move fast.
My one and only experiment with a dewormer, after 25 years of organically deworming, nearly ended up in losing three Fayoumi hens. Back to my organic system, which has always served me well. I have no idea why I decided to use a chemical dewormer after all this time except that everyone on BYC was using them and since nobody was laying at the time I didn't need to worry about egg withdrawal periods. Well, never again. Apparently, my breeds of birds prefer the natural methods better. I'll go back to not deworming and will cull if somebody appears to be infested with worms, which is really rare.
I use DE, pumpkin and squash guts, pepper seeds and just watch for anybody who may appear to be losing weight or have issues. So far, in 25 years, I've lost one bird to parasites, a Silky that I bought from a show breeder.That breeder's birds ( a group of different bantam breeds) didn't thrive in my program, unlike the stuff I raised and hatched myself, so, for the most part, I ended up getting rid of them, or they got rid of themselves because most of them got eaten by predators, not being the brightest birds in the flock. The only ones that survived, in fact, were Old English Game Banty's, a breed that I believe is quite capable of foraging, taking care of itself and very hardy as far as disease resistance. In fact, I currently keep an OEGB as my flock rooster, great little protector guy.
So, unless you want to keep a bunch of birds with crossed beaks, amputations and repeated infections, I highly suggest, if you're going to consider anything more than a small flock of 4-5 chickens, that you accept culling. It's simply part of farming and breeding livestock.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

We cull, and do so young to old. Hatchlings get culled for lacking traits worth keeping to breed, or for having traits not wanted in a breed. We cull teens when there are too many Roos. Chickens, ducks and geese are a working part of our farm. Thus they need to perform as such. Sometimes this is by being sold to another for their use, sometimes it puts them I our freezer. We hatch them, raise them, feed them so our choice how they best serve us.

Those that keep small flocks and name the, all and hold them daily they become pets, for those who are trying to be more self sustaining they are a food source. Those who have them as pets often can't agree with the other, but neither is the wrong choice.

You wouldn't want someone telling you your political or religious beliefs were wrong, so don't tell another they are wrong for culling (or not) their flocks for the reasons they see best to work for them.

 

[mommissan]

I don't plan to cull any layers, because I factor in the likelihood that they may be claimed by predators, disease or any other act of nature. But, after following this thread, I must admit that if my flock prospers, and overpopulation becomes an issue, rehoming isn't an option. There are too many animals out there that are homeless- I won't contribute. They will be on the table, either here or elsewhere. I will cross that bridge when I come to it. Until then, I'll continue to spoil my girls.

 

[Buff Oreo]

Don't try to make it sound like people who cull don't care about their birds.

I'm not trying to accuse any of you! what you do is what you do! this is OPINIONS, PEOPLE, not war! i assume [and hope] that you love your birds very much. i love my birds too! i just want to put that out.

 

[BrattishTaz]

I really only cull if the bird is suffering. I suppose I would cull a nasty mean rooster if I felt is was a danger to people. We do not depend on my flock to feed my family though. I have plenty of space for extra roosters to roam and have housing/ large runs for those that do not "play well with others". Their purpose here is to eat bugs and provide a bit of entertainment in the process.

I agree with a previous poster that stated there is no right/ wrong answer to the OP's question. This is a decision to be based on the individual's goals for their flock. Opinions are like....um.......noses?.......everybody has one. I'm not going to get mine bent out of shape because they are not all like mine.

 

[ThePigeonKid]

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Good post!